The National Football Post first reported the visit that will take place while a contingent of Steelers that includes president Art Rooney II, general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin is in Orlando, Fla., for the NFL owners meetings.

Blount is one of the top free-agent running backs as he rushed for 772 yards and seven touchdowns last season while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. But the fourth-year veteran is probably also looking for a significant pay day and may be out of the Steelers' price range.

Blount made $680,000 last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and he turned out to be a real bargain for the Patriots, emerging as arguably their best running back.

This visit could be similar to the one that the Steelers had with former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew earlier this week.

It is probably for both sides to get to know more about one another with the Steelers likely telling Blount to keep them in mind if he doesn't fetch the kind of offer he is seeking on the open market.

The Steelers, on the other hand, need a backup for Le'Veon Bell and their interest in the 6-foot, 250-pound Blount dates back to 2010 when they hosted him for a pre-draft visit.

Blount went undrafted and played three seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the Patriots.

Blount has started 28 of 56 games and rushed for 2,711 yards and 20 touchdowns while averging 4.7 yards per carry.